Rear Air Guidance Device with Segmented Flaps for Drag Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air guidance devices for motor vehicles are mechanically complex and expensive, failing to achieve a significant aerodynamic effect while being robust and simple in design.

Innovation Solution

An air guidance device that covers the area between the first and second lighting devices, with a maximum width greater than their spacing, featuring a trailing edge and recesses to accommodate lighting devices, and adjustable light permeability to enhance aerodynamic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the air guidance device uses mechanically complicated deployable surfaces to increase aerodynamic effect, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic effectVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air guidance device is divided into a fixed main body and separate adjustable flaps that can be independently positioned. The flaps are segmented into multiple sections that can be adjusted to different angles, allowing the aerodynamic surface area to be modified without complex mechanical deployment mechanisms. This segmentation enables simplified construction while maintaining aerodynamic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air guidance device incorporates adjustable flaps that can be dynamically positioned to different angles depending on driving conditions. The flaps can be raised or lowered to change the aerodynamic characteristics, providing dynamic adaptability without requiring complex deployable surface mechanisms. This dynamic adjustment capability allows optimization of aerodynamic performance for different operating scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the air guidance device increases width and surface area to enhance aerodynamic effect, then the reduction of lift and resistance is improved, but the device becomes more expensive and mechanically complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic effectVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wide air guidance device is constructed by segmenting the structure into a fixed main body and separate flaps. This segmentation allows the large surface area to be achieved through simple geometric shapes rather than complex assembled components, reducing manufacturing difficulty and cost while maintaining the required width and aerodynamic surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air guidance device features local quality variations with different flap sections having different aerodynamic functions. The main body provides the primary aerodynamic effect, while the adjustable flaps provide localized modifications to control airflow specific to different regions. This local differentiation allows optimization of aerodynamic performance without requiring the entire structure to be mechanically complex.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the air guidance device is positioned further rearward on the vehicle to improve aerodynamic effect, then the reduction of lift and resistance is enhanced, but the device may interfere with lighting devices and vehicle contour

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic effectVSAvoidinterference with lighting devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution improves aerodynamic effect by reducing lift and resistance, while maintaining mechanical simplicity and robustness, and can be designed to be more rearward on the vehicle for enhanced performance.

Implementation Method 1

the spoiler presents a spoiler surface, which, at least in the operational shape of the spoiler during the movement of the motor vehicle, is exposed to the driving wind and as a result becomes aerodynamically active

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic effect: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 2

The reduction of the lift and resistance is improved by the increase in the aerodynamic effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDrag reduction: Drag

Data Source

PatentUS7611191B2Air guidance device for the rear section of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2009.11.03 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

An air guidance device for the rear section of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has at least one first tail light and at least one second tail light. The tail lights are disposed at the respective sides of the vehicle and they are spaced apart by a spacing distance in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The air guidance device is movable between a rest position, in which the air guidance device lies substantially within the vehicle contour, and an operating position, in which the air guidance device extends beyond the vehicle contour. In the rest position, the air guidance device covers at least partially the area between the first tail light and the second tail light. The maximum width of the air guidance device is greater than the spacing device between the first tail light and the second tail light.